I have been extremely neglectful in maintaining this blog. So, if anyone checks in again, here’s the synopsis of our time in the Bahamas!
We crossed from West Palm Beach to Bimini, checked in (Customs & another Covid test), met people on boats that we would continue to see as we made our way to the Exumas. We sailed across the Great Bahama Bank, with depths of 8-12 feet, & anchored overnight in (what feels like) the middle of the ocean. Caught a Mahi crossing over to Rose Island ( near Nassau) in “ the tongue of the ocean”- (depths to 6000 feet!). We had some good sailing days, many motoring days, fairly good snorkeling days, lots of swimming off the boat, manatees, lots of sharks, turtles, stingray sightings, and visited by 4 eagle rays while snorkeling one of the ocean cuts. .. and of course the dolphins riding the bow wake ❤️.
We’ve had different buddy boats along the way….. always good to have friends to share the good and endure the bad. Hiding from bad weather was a constant theme throughout our Bahamas stay…… 3 or 4 days of glorious sunshine, followed by 3 or 4 days of very high winds & seas. We made it to Black Point, Exumas, and decided not to go further south due to weather. We had ukulele jam sessions, met Johnny Depp on the docks at Staniel Cay, a birthday party for a new friend, heard stories from locals & saw evidence of hurricane Dorian’s devastation, visited cool caves, and small villages.
We had a direct lightning strike to our mast yesterday ( with many witnesses of the bolt and the sparks raining down) while tied up to a slip at Old Bahama Bay Marina, West End. Some electronics are messed up but we were on board sleeping when it happened, and we’re okay.
As we approach West Palm Beach, with our buddy boat “Refuge” as our wingman, we are grateful to be back in the US. Now to get a few things repaired so we can sail Seascape home to Maine. Thankful for my competent and calm Captain, and for the friendships we’ve made along the way…..See you soon! Happy Easter ❤️